African-American News&Issues
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“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF UNLESS WE STOP IT
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
It has often been said that history repeats itself, but for Black America, it isn’t just a saying—it’s a lived reality that has stretched across centuries. From the chains of slavery to the cages of mass incarceration, from the brutality of Jim Crow to the quiet violence of voter suppression, the forms may change, but the function remains the same. The oppression of Black people in this country has never truly stopped—it
simply evolves. The danger we face today is not just in the systems stacked against us, but in the collective forgetting of how these systems came to be. If we fail to learn from the past, we will continue to stumble into its traps. The system depends on that amnesia. It counts on us forgetting what our ancestors endured, and more importantly, what they did to resist. History on pg. 3
HOUSTON
The Texas Senate approves bill to prohibit soda, chips, and candy from being purchased with food stamps.
FORT BEND
Fort Bend ISD trustees vote to evaluate the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning curriculum.
MONTGOMERY
The Montgomery County Fair opened Thursday.The 10-day fair is Montgomery County’s biggest event, attracting over 75,000 visitors to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds annually.
GALVESTON
Boxing legend Jack Johnson’s birthday celebrated. Johnson, known as the “Galveston Giant,” was born on the island on March 31, 1878, and became the first Black heavyweight boxing champion in 1908.
NEW BRAUNFELS
The 2025 Walk for Autism, which raises money and support for families raising individuals on the spectrum will help spread awareness. New Braunfels had its first Walk for Autism in 2019, founded in large part by ABC clients and New Braunfels residents Sharon Carlson and her son, Kyngston.
EDITORIAL
A Revival of God Consciousness
Bobby Mills, Ph.D.
THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
The 18th congressional district includes most of the inner-city of Houston, including downtown since its inception in 1972. The 18th congressional district has voted for most of the Democratic candidates since 1972. Initially, the 18th congressional district was first represented by the dynamic effervescent Barbara Jordan, the first Black woman elected to Congress from the south. Congresswoman Jordan was known for her powerful elegant oratorical skills. The flamboyant Mickey Leland followed Barbara Jordan serving as congressman from 1978-1988. Craig Washington represented the 18th congressional district from 1989-1995. Congresswoman Jackson-Lee represented the district from 1995 until her death in 2024. Congresswoman Lee’s daughter, Erica represented the district when the seat became vacant. Congressman Sylvester Turner represented the district until his death on March 5th, 2025. No doubt about it, in the past the 18th congressional district has had first-class representation since its creation.
The 18th congressional district is at a political leadership crossroads, which way is the question of questions: community unity or political confusion? Governor Gregg Abbott faces a tight impending political deadline for a special election to be held on May
WHERE IS THE BLACK LEADERSHIP IN HOUSTON?
Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community
Houston is one of the largest and most diverse cities in America, with a Black population that has played a significant role in shaping its culture, economy, and history. From the historic Freedmen’s Town to the thriving Third Ward, Black Houstonians have fought for progress, built strong communities, and contributed to the city’s success. But in today’s critical times, many are asking: Where is the Black leadership in Houston? Who is standing up for our people in the fight for economic power, social justice, and political representation? The truth is, while we have individuals in positions of influence, real leadership—the kind that unites, mobilizes, and delivers results—feels absent or ineffective.
The Black Leadership Crisis
3rd, 2025. Christian Menefee became the first candidate to file for the 18th congressional district. Shelia’s daughter, Erica and former councilman Dwight Boykins have already endorsed Christian Menefee. Amanda Edwards has filed with seven other candidates which include Isaiah Martin, James Joseph, Robert Slater, potential candidates Jolanda Jones, Letitia Plummer, Zoe Cadore and Jarvis Johnson. The congressional field is indeed crowded. President Donald J. Trump has escalated America’s “Cold Civil War”, and America does not need another “Hot Civil War”. Therefore, the 18th congressional district needs sophisticated political leadership that can speak the power of truth to MAGA insanity without embracing insanity. As Black people, we need to socio-spiritually understand the historic nature of our existence and struggle for justice in American society. The White-only-signs were physically taken down in 1964 the Civil Rights Act and 1965 the Voting Rights Act, but the spiritual-mental sign in the minds of many Whites remained, White Superiority. Lest we forget, racism is alive and well, because racism drives individuals insane. America’s original sin is greed based upon racebased chattel slavery, and the insanity of the MAGA-Cult. America ended racial segregation but has never achieved Godly racial integration. Good intentions are not good enough. Righteous actions are required for America to live out the true meaning of the Preamble and the U. S. Constitution. This is
in advancing our community. Yet, as the political and economic landscape shifts, many Black Houstonians feel that leadership is now fragmented, out of touch, or more concerned with personal gain than community progress.
1.
Political Leadership –Who Represents Us?
Houston has Black politicians in city government, but how many are truly fighting for the people? How many are pushing for policies that directly uplift Black Houstonians? Too often, elected officials campaign in our communities but disappear once in office, prioritizing corporate donors and establishment politics over the needs of the people who put them in power.
Issues like gentrification, police reform, underfunded schools, and economic inequality disproportionately affect Black Houston, yet we see little urgency from our leaders in addressing them. Where are the Black politicians speaking out against these injustices?
2. Economic Leadership –Who Controls the Wealth?
Historically, Houston has had strong Black leadership. Civil rights activists, church leaders, educators, and grassroots organizers have always played a major role
Houston’s Black community has trillions in buying power, yet much of that money flows out of our neighborhoods into businesses that don’t reinvest in us. While we have Black entrepreneurs and business leaders, there is a lack of collective economic strategy.
Where is the push for Black-owned banks, business incubators, and investment Read more at aframnews.com Leadership on pg. 5
We MUST Understand
By Roy Douglas Malonson, Publisher
The only way to stop history from repeating itself is to consciously decide to break the cycle.
The patterns are glaring. Slavery, though legally abolished, was allowed to continue in another form through the 13th Amendment, which prohibited slavery “except as punishment for a crime.” That loophole birthed the prison-industrial complex, an industry that has thrived on the incarceration of Black men. After emancipation, newly freed Black men were targeted through laws designed to criminalize their very existence—vagrancy, loitering, or petty theft led to arrests and forced labor through convict leasing. Today, mass incarceration is its modern descendant. Black communities remain disproportionately policed, Black men are sentenced more harshly, and prison labor benefits private companies much like the cotton fields once did. The plantation never disappeared—it relocated behind concrete walls and barbed wire.
The same can be said of segregation. Jim Crow laws once kept Black people out of schools, restaurants, and polling places. Now, we face underfunded schools in Black neighborhoods, economic redlining, and gentrification that pushes Black families out of the communities they’ve called home for generations. Voter suppression has become more sophisticated—now it’s hidden in voter ID laws, closed polling stations, purged voter rolls, and racially drawn district lines. The era of “Colored Only” signs may be gone, but the system of exclusion remains. It has simply traded its hood for a briefcase and its threats for policies.
Perhaps the most painful and persistent pattern is the destruction of Black wealth. Every time Black Americans build something for themselves, it is met with destruction—whether by mobs or by legislation. Tulsa’s Black Wall Street was reduced to ashes in 1921 by white violence. Rosewood, Florida, a thriving Black town, was erased in 1923. Decades later, under the name of “urban renewal,” highways were built directly through Black neighborhoods, displacing families and businesses. Today, the process continues under gentrification. Prop-
erty taxes rise, rents skyrocket, and longtime residents are forced to leave. The goal has always been to prevent generational Black wealth from taking root.
But this does not have to be our future. We have the power to break this cycle—if we are willing to act. It begins with knowledge. We must teach our history—not just the suffering, but the strength, the organizing, the resistance. We must educate our children and our communities about how these systems work, how they’ve evolved, and how we can fight them. We must also prioritize building and protecting Black wealth—supporting Black-owned banks and businesses, teaching financial literacy, and keeping our dollars circulating within our communities. Political engagement is critical. We must vote in every election, advocate for policies that benefit our communities, and hold elected officials accountable. The system fights our vote because it fears our power. That’s why we can never afford to sit out. And we must take back our story. Black-led media and independent platforms are essential in countering the misrepresentations that have plagued our people for centuries. When we control our narrative, we control our future.
Finally, we must strengthen our communities. Unity has always been our greatest weapon. When we support one another, when we refuse to let outside forces divide us, when we build networks rooted in love, accountability, and shared purpose—we become unstoppable. History only repeats itself when we let it. Our ancestors gave too much, sacrificed too much, fought too hard for us to be stuck in the same cycles. We owe it to them—and to ourselves—to write a different future. We are not powerless. We are powerful beyond measure. The question is: what will we do with that power? Will we allow the past to dictate our future— or will we rise, resist, and rewrite the story? It’s time to stop history from repeating. It’s time to change the ending.
August 28, 1963: Approximately 250,000 people take part in The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Martin Luther King gives his “I Have A Dream” speech as the closing address in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
September 15, 1963: A bomb at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama kills four young girls and injures several other people prior to Sunday services. The bombing fuels angry protests.
July 2, 1964
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, preventing employment discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion or national origin.
February 21, 1965: Black religious leader Malcolm X is assassinated during a rally by members of the Nation of Islam.
March 7, 1965: Bloody Sunday. In the Selma to Montgomery March, around 600 civil rights marchers walk to Selma, Alabama to Montgomery.
BLACK HISTORY FUN FACTS
- Garrett Morgan invented the first automatic traffic signal in 1923. His design featured a three-position signal—stop, go, and caution—improving safety on the roads. Morgan also invented a gas mask that was used during World War I and by firefighters.
- The Emancipation Proclamation (1863): President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free. While it didn’t immediately end slavery in the U.S., it marked a pivotal step toward the abolition of slavery, which was later achieved with the 13th Amendment in 1865.
- The Harlem Renaissance (1920s): The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American culture through art, music, literature, and intellectual thought. Key figures included Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington, who helped to reshape the American cultural landscape.
- Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955): On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest that eventually led to the Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.
April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray is convicted of the murder in 1969.
April 11, 1968: President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, providing equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion or national origin.
networks? Where is the leadership that ensures Black businesses receive government contracts, real estate development opportunities, and access to funding? Without economic power, we remain dependent on a system that was never designed to serve us.
3. Community Leadership – Who Is Fighting for Our Youth?
Our schools are underfunded, and our children are being set up for failure before they even have a chance to succeed. Instead of Black leaders demanding change, we see silence. The criminal justice system disproportionately targets our young Black men. Houston’s Third Ward, Fifth Ward, and Sunnyside face some of the highest rates of poverty, crime, and police surveillance—yet where are the Black leaders organizing to demand better policies, more resources, and real investment in our communities?
If we don’t create strong mentorship programs, educational initiatives, and job opportunities for our youth, the system will continue to funnel them into prisons instead of prosperity.
4. The Role of the Church – Where Is the Moral Leadership?
Historically, the Black church has been at the forefront of leadership in our community. From the Civil Rights Movement to grassroots activism, Black pastors and faith leaders have been a guiding force. Yet today, many Black churches have shifted focus from activism to entertainment, from communitybuilding to profit-seeking. While some pastors are still engaged in the fight, too many have remained silent on issues affecting their congregations.
Where are the churches calling for justice, leading economic initiatives, and serving as true pillars of the community? Leadership isn’t just about preaching on Sundays—it’s about action.
How
Do We Reclaim Real Leadership?
If Houston’s Black community wants strong leadership, we must demand it and cultivate it ourselves. Here’s how:
1. Hold Elected Officials Accountable – Black politicians must answer to the community that elected them. We need to demand action, track their policies, and vote out those who fail to deliver.
2. Build Black Economic Power – We need to create and support Black-owned businesses, invest in real estate, and push for economic policies that benefit our communities. Money is power—let’s use it wisely.
3. Mentor the Next Generation –Real leadership is about passing the torch. We must invest in our youth, provide education and job opportunities, and ensure they are prepared to take on leadership roles.
4. Demand More from the Church – Faith leaders must return to their role as advocates for justice. The Black church has power—it’s time to use it to uplift our people, not just the pulpit.
5. Grassroots Action Over Celebrity Leadership – We don’t need more “leaders” who only show up when cameras are rolling. True leadership happens in the streets, in schools, and in boardrooms where real decisions are made.
Conclusion
Black Houston is strong, but strength without direction leads nowhere. Leadership is not about holding a title—it’s about making a real impact. It’s time for the Black community in Houston to reclaim its power, demand accountability, and build the leadership we need to secure our future.
The question isn’t just “Where is the Black leadership in Houston?”— the real question is, what are we doing to create it?
POLITICS
WHO BENEFITS FROM DEI?
By: Dr. Justice
Especially since the presidential inauguration in January, significant controversy looms over the fate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. DEI began to address systemic inequality, sustained exclusion and create fairer environments in higher education and the workplace. African Americans championed DEI to help its communities share in the country’s vast economy. However, as these policies have gained prominence and disrepute, a critical question has emerged:
Whose ght is DEI?
While DEI efforts are intended to uplift marginalized groups, data increasingly shows that white women are the primary beneficiaries of these initiatives, raising important questions about the effectiveness of these policies. Despite the varied impact of DEI programs by industry, institution, and implementation, historical trends in hiring, education, and corporate leadership clearly identify white women as the primary beneficiary across the board.
DEI in the Workplace
DEI policies disproportionately benefit white women in the workplace. Numerous reports over the last decade show that women suffer disparate representation in industry. One report showed that before DEI, women represented 47% of the U.S. workforce but held only 28% of executive or senior management positions. In the areas where inclusion policies were enacted, those gaps began closing but data reveals that white women were the most likely to fill these roles. In fact, white women are far more likely than women of color to be promoted into leadership positions as a result of DEI initiatives.
While affirmative action policies were designed to aid minority groups (particularly Blacks) in overcoming barriers, they have not always had the intended
consequences. In many cases, white women benefit more from these policies than their Black, and Indigenous counterparts. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that in the context of hiring practices, white women are often preferred over Black and Brown women in DEI-driven initiatives, despite being less likely to have faced the same structural barriers to entry.
DEI in Higher Education
The application of DEI principles in higher education, particularly through affirmative action in college admissions, has also shown that white women are the primary beneficiaries. The American Council on Education found that, while racial minorities have made some gains in college admissions, white women are far more likely to be admitted under affirmative action policies than Black and Brown applicants.
Earlier this month, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reported that first-time undergraduate enrollment in historically white Texas institutions showed that African American enrollment remained virtually stagnant from 2009 to 2023.
This raises critical questions about the objectives of affirmative action. While it was originally designed to rectify the historical disadvantages faced by Black and brown students, white women’s access to affirmative action shows the policy is not adequately addressing the needs of those who are most marginalized. As universities strive to increase gender diversity alongside racial diversity, the result is often a higher percentage of white women admitted, while students of color, particularly Black and Indigenous students, remain woefully underrepresented. So Why do Blacks support these programs?
African Americans have long fought for human rights, Read more at aframnews.com
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for:
RFP #25-03-04 – Multi-Purpose Room Upgrade. Electronic submittals due by 3:00PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Contact: pamela.johnson@lonestar.edu or (832)813-6782.
Must Register to Bid: https:// lonestar.ionwave.net/Login.aspx.
If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact MCvendors@lonestar.edu.
NOTICE TO PROPOSERS
Request for Proposal will be received by Lone Star College for: RFP 25-02-04 LSCS – Janitorial Services
receive subcontractor/vendor proposals for the Harris County Sheriff ’s Complex project located at 5910 Navigation Blvd., Houston, Texas 77011. This solicitation is for Package 2 consisting of the following scopes of work: general requirements, concrete, masonry, structural steel, railing, casework, roofing, waterproofing, insulation, metal panels, doors, glazing, drywall, acoustical ceilings, flooring, painting, canopies, specialties, equipment, elevators, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, earthwork, site paving, landscaping, fencing, and utilities.
Electronic submittals due by 2:00PM, Tuesday, April 22,2025. Contact: dina.sauser@lonestar. edu or (832) 813-6532.
Must Register to Bid: https:// lonestar.ionwave.net/Login.aspx
If registered, please ensure your registration is up to date. For assistance with the on-line registration process, contact MCvendors@lonestar.edu.
Proposals and qualification statements will be received by Durotech, Inc., from interested proposers, subproposers and suppliers until 2:00 PM on Monday, April 14th, 2025, for Package 2 scopes of work in the presence of the Owner and Architect at the offices of Durotech, Inc. at 11931 Wickchester Lane, #205, Houston, Texas 77043-4501, Phone: 281-558-6892. All bids should be submitted by email at bids@durotechgc.com or hand delivered to the offices of Durotech, Inc.
Construction Manager Contact: Sidhesh Kakodkar or Julian Ciarella. All MBE/WBE/HUB firms are highly encouraged to submit proposals on this project. Prevailing wage rates in conformance with Harris County, Texas requirements will be paid on this project with certified payroll. All proposals shall remain valid for one hundred twenty (120) days.
A preproposal meeting will be held on Monday, April 07th, 2025 @ 9:30 AM at AGC Houston Chapter (3825 Dacoma St, Houston, TX 77092). Drawings and Specifications will be available for review at the offices of Durotech, Inc., and at the plan rooms of AGC, Dodge Data & Analytics, Virtual Builders Exchange, Brazos Valley Contractors Association, Construction Data and CMD Group, and Durotech’s Online Plan Room.
The Owner, Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive any informalities and irregularities in the proposal process, and to make the awards in the best interest of the Owner. By submitting a proposal, each proposer agrees to waive any claim it has or may have against the Owner, the Architect/ Engineer, Construction Manager and their respective employees arising out of or in connection with the administration, evaluation, or recommendation of any proposal; waiver of any requirements under the Proposal Documents, or the Contract Documents; acceptance or rejection of any proposals; and award of a Contract.
OBITUARY
FLORENCE DEBORAH WOOTEN M.D.
06/28/1953
“A life lived with purpose, a heart devoted to care.”
Dr. Florence Wooten, a cherished physician, loving mother and grandmother, and proud lifelong Houstonian, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025, surrounded by her family and the warmth of the memories she created with those she loved. She was 71 years old.
Born on June 28, 1953, in Houston, Texas, Florence’s journey began in the vibrant community of Third Ward. She attended St. Nicholas Catholic School, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Mount Carmel High School and Howard University before graduating from the University of Houston. Inspired by her father, the late Dr. Hargrove Wooten, she followed in his footsteps and earned her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Tennessee—a place that helped shape her lifelong commitment to excellence, compassion, and service.
Dr. Wooten began her career in ophthalmology alongside her father at Physicians Eye Associates before founding her own practice, Wooten Vision Care, where she faithfully served the Houston community for over 30 years. Vision care was more than her profession—it was her
- 03/12/2025
passion and her purpose. She offered more than treatment; she gave her patients a sanctuary. Always just a call away, she welcomed each person with a smile, a listening ear, and a heart full of care. For her, quality of care wasn’t a goal—it was a calling.
Supported throughout her career by her devoted staff—Tracie Scott White, Terri Cavazos, Florentina Barrios, Morris Green, Tema Bell, Kathy Nguyen, Kristin Henry, Mary Barela, Dr. Ouida Middleton and Deana McCathern—Dr. Wooten built a legacy of healing and trust rooted in genuine connection and a shared passion for service.
When not in her office, Florence delighted in life’s simple joys. She adored spending time with her grandchildren, tending her garden, and enjoying a good movie. A lover of music in all forms—from classical to classic R&B—she was always ready to dance. She was also a proud and loyal Texans fan, never missing a game and always cheering with heart.
Dr. Wooten was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Dr. Hargrove and Eleanor Wooten. She is survived by her loving daugh-
ter, Eleanor Curry; her “daughter from another mother,” Tema Bell; her treasured grandchildren Cheyenne Campbell and Bronx Curry; and her bonus granddaughter, Mattison Taylor. Her sisters, Patrice Wooten Hightower and Sharon Kailimai, brotherin-love John Hightower, niece Lailoni and grandniece Nakoa, carry her light forward with grace and love. Each of them—and every life she touched—carries a part of her strength, joy, and boundless heart.
A celebration of Dr. Wooten’s remarkable life will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Purification Church in Houston, Texas. Family, friends, former patients, and members of the community are invited to join in remembrance and reflection.
Dr. Florence Wooten leaves behind a legacy built not just in the years she lived, but in the lives she healed and hearts she touched. Her spirit will live on in every smile, every act of kindness, and every step forward inspired by her care.
DIVERSITY
H-E-B’s Supplier Diversity Program works hard to ensure we’re selling goods and utilizing services from a wide variety of Texan businesses. We’re proud that our suppliers are as diverse as the Lone Star State itself.
As a former small business ourselves, we believe in and celebrate the value & strength that working with small businesses, local businesses, and businesses owned by diverse suppliers, women, LGBTQ+, Veterans, and disabled Texans brings to both our business and the communities we serve.
